Field converter

ABSTRACT

Methods and devices for producing inhomogeneous electrical fields are disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the generation of inhomogeneous electromagneticfields and in particular, to the generation of fields that exert forceon massive objects. Such fields have utility in the arts of massacceleration (including object manipulation and propulsion) andcommunications.

2. Discussion of Background Information

All interactions in nature have been historically described in terms offour elementary forces: the strong force, the weak force, theelectromagnetic force, and gravity. The strong force holds atomic nucleitogether and is responsible for the energy released by nuclearreactions. The weak force is associated with radioactive decay andinteractions between sub-atomic particles called neutrinos. Both strongand weak forces act over relatively short (e.g., sub-atomic) distances.The electromagnetic force can act over much longer distances than thestrong and weak forces. For example, the electromagnetic force keepsdirectional compasses pointed north over the entire surface of theEarth. The electromagnetic force is also responsible for the attractionand repulsion of charged particles. The farthest-ranging forces aregravity and the electromagnetic force. Gravity keeps the Earth orbitingthe Sun and can act over distances on a galactic scale.

An important issue in physics is the interaction of the four fundamentalforces. Many physicists believe that the four fundamental forces can bedescribed by a single unified theory. For example, the StandardElectroweak Theory explains how the electromagnetic and weak forcesinteract and relate to each other. The Standard Electroweak Theoryunifies the weak force and the electromagnetic force. Other theoriessupply explanations of how the strong force, the weak force, and theelectromagnetic forces interact. Theories that harmonize all fourfundamental forces are called “Super Unification” theories.

There have been reports of gravitational effects produced by devicesinvolving various combinations of time-dependent electromagnetic andstatic electric and magnetic fields. Recent years have witnessedattempts to develop these technologies, as evidenced by the interestexhibited by various government agencies including NASA, DOD and theDepartment of Energy.

In July 2001, a three-day meeting of the American Institute ofAeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) was held in Utah. V. Roschin and S.Godin presented a paper: An Experimental Investigation of the PhysicalEffects in a Dynamic Magnetic System. (American Institute of Aeronauticsand Astronautics 2001 Meeting, AIAA-2001-3660). The paper described anassembly of static and rotating magnets, which purportedly achieved agravitational effect. The authors reported reductions in observed weightranging up to 35%. However, the paper gave no theoretical basis for theresult.

Professor Timir Datta of the University of South Carolina and studentsand Professor Ming Yin of Benedict University in Columbia, S.C. claim tohave observed a gravitational effect in an experiment that placed a testmass in an electric field. They reported a change in weight of up to 6.4parts in 10⁶. An electric field was produced by an electrode paircomprised of a cone and a flat plate.

Another contribution to the theoretical understanding of gravitatioraland electromagnetic effects and their interrelation can be found in J.G. Vargas & D. G. Torr, The Cartan-Einstein Unification withTeleparallelism and the Discrepant Measurement of Newton's Constant G,in Foundations of Physics, 29, 145-200 (1999).

Unification theories often use complex mathematical ideas. Inparticular, attempts have been made to develop physical theories usingtechniques from relativity, differential geometry, phase space-time,teleparallelism, Kähler calculus, Clifford algebras, exteriordifferential calculus, and other physical and mathematical theories.Tensors, which are known in the art, arise in attempts to explain somephysical phenomena. Tensors have components that may be n-forms (where nis an integer), functions, or other tensors. Tensors have notationsinvolving superscripts and subscripts that are conventionally definedand understood by those of skill in the art. Differential geometry isparticularly useful in studying fundamental forces and space-time.Mathematical constructs and techniques known in the art of differentialgeometry include matrices, connections, forms, differentials, products(including interior, exterior, inner, outer, and Clifford), metrics,contractions, contravariance, covariance, and fields.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Several arrangements of electric-field-generating systems and methodsare disclosed. In particular, embodiments that produce inhomogeneouselectric fields are disclosed.

Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention maybe ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further described in the detailed descriptionwhich follows with reference to the noted plurality of drawings by wayof non-limiting examples of certain embodiments of the presentinvention, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout theseveral views of the drawings, and wherein:

FIG. 1 a illustrates a field converter with electrodes having sphericalcurvature (Torr cell);

FIG. 1 b illustrates a shielded Torr cell;

FIG. 2 a illustrates a cylindrical field converter (Vargas cell) with asingle dielectric;

FIG. 2 b illustrates a cylindrical field converter havingnon-symmetrical dielectric;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an array of cells;

FIG. 4 illustrates a gravitational lens;

FIG. 5 illustrates a Vargas Array;

FIG. 6 illustrates a Vargas Engine;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cylindrical mirror cell with a cylindrical and anarcuate segment electrodes;

FIG. 8 a illustrates a cylindrical mirror cell having a conductiveshield and two arcuate segment electrodes;

FIG. 8 b illustrates a cross section of the cell illustrated in FIG. 8a;

FIG. 8 c illustrates an array of cylindrical mirror cells;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a two-dimensional cut through a threedimensional lattice of cells;

FIG. 10 illustrates a lattice of sub-lattices ofindependently-controllable conic cells.

FIG. 11 a is a block diagram of a communications system;

FIGS. 11 b-d illustrate array shapes for field converters used in thecommunications system of FIG. 11 a;

FIG. 12 illustrates a flat array of inhomogeneous capacitors; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an antenna suitable for communicationsapplications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

1. Description of the Theory

The following is an abbreviated summary of the underlying theory. Theequations and their relations reflect the current understanding of thedisclosed phenomenon. However, those skilled in the art may practice theinvention even without a full understanding of its theoreticalunderpinnings. That is, it is not necessary for one of ordinary skill inthe art to grasp the physical theory upon which the invention is basedin order to make, use, and practice the invention.

In simple terms, a charge distribution that gives rise to inhomogeneouselectric fields will act as a source of a gravitational field. This willalso be true for time-dependent electromagnetic fields. The theoreticalrelationship is set forth below.

The core relationship that provides a coupling constant relating thecomponents of the electromagnetic (EM) field with those of thegeometrical object called torsion, which also affects the curvature ofspace-time, is:R ⁰ _(μν) =−CF _(μν) R ^(λ) _(μν)=0 for λ>0  (1)where F_(μν) is the EM field tensor, the R^(λ) _(μν)terms (set to zeroin general relativity) are the components of the torsion tensor for λ=0,. . . , 3, and C is the coupling constant given by:C=(2G)^(1/2) /c ²  (2)in the Gaussian system. The R^(λ) _(μν)components of the torsion tensorare vector-valued 2-forms, where λ is the vector index (the space-timedimension) and μ,ν are the differential form indices. See also, J. G.Vargas & D. G. Torr, The Cartan-Einstein Unification withTeleparallelism and the Discrepant Measurement of Newton's Constant G,in 29 Foundations of Physics, 145-200 (1999), which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. G is the universal gravitationalconstant and c is the speed of light. The relationship results from theaddition, or more precisely the emergence, of a non-zero torsion term togeneral relativity. Such a torsion term in the context ofteleparallelism permits a new derivation of the right hand side ofEinstein's famous equation that relates the curvature of space to energyand momentum. The new Einstein equations retain the usual form:G _(μν) =−T _(μν)  (3)where the term G_(μν)(which includes tensor indices) is the Einsteingeometric tensor derived from the Riemann tensor by way of the Riccitensor, and T_(μν)is the energy and momentum tensor from generalrelativity, which contains the additional torsion term referred toabove. Given below in equation (4) is a geometrical version of (3) thatincludes a term for gravitation. Equation (4) is the expression of themetric curvature of spacetime as a function of other geometricquantities that represent different physical fields. This equation is tobe compared with the right hand side of (3), which is addedindependently in general relativity:Ω_(μ) ^(ν)=(dβ _(μ) ^(ν)−α_(μ) ²

β₂ ^(ν)−β_(μ) ²

α₂ ^(ν))−β_(μ) ²

β₂ ^(ν)  (4)where G_(μν)is a contracted notation for (contraction of) Ω_(μ) ^(ν),the Riemannian Curvature, and α_(μ) ^(λ) is a metric connection as ingeneral relativity. The symbol “

” denotes an exterior product. The β term is the contorsion. Thecomponents of β are linear combinations of the components of the torsionand are thus related to the EM field. That is, the β terms can beexpressed in terms of R^(λ) _(μν)and therefore by equation (1) includethe EM contributions to the right hand side of (3). Because equation (3)is a contracted version of (4), T_(μν)is a contracted version of theright hand side of (4) and therefore contains the standard terms ofrelativity (including the electromagnetic energy tensor) in the −β_(μ)^(λ)

β₂ ^(ν). T_(μν)contains additional terms as a consequence of theteleparallelism approach. Equation (4) indicates that gravitationalenergy, in the special case of neutral matter, is a residual effect ofthe dβ_(μ) ^(ν)term, and hence a residual effect of electromagneticradiation. Though the dβ_(μ) ^(ν)term is the derivative of theelectromagnetic and other fundamental fields, embodiments of the presentinvention are typically concerned with the electromagnetic field.However, the invention may be made, used, and practiced withoutunderstanding the theory disclosed herein.

At this point an analogy can be made between formulas (3) and (4). Acomparison between equations (3) and (4) can be obtained by expressingthe right hand side of equation (4) in terms of the torsion componentsR^(λ) _(μν)and gathering together the terms that correspond to T_(μν)foreach μ and ν. Equation (4) can be expressed in terms of the R^(λ)_(μν)which can be compared with the T_(μν)from equation (3). Byexpressly identifying T_(μν)where μ=ν=0 (i.e., T_(∞)) in the contractionresulting from the last term of (4) with T_(∞) from the theory ofelectrodynamics, the constant C in (1) can be determined.

The terms in parenthesis in equation (4) did not appear in Einstein'soriginal equations. These terms account for the effects of gravity,whereas the last two β terms account for other field forces. For reasonsnot necessary for the understanding of the invention, it suffices toconsider only the dβ_(μ) ^(ν)term. This is a new term. It can alter themetric structure of space-time, which is described by the curvatureΩ_(μ) ^(vν). It is the derivative of the torsion and therefore of the EMfield.

The term dβ_(μ) ^(ν)is the theoretical key to inducing gravitationaleffects. Since the derivatives of β are linear combinations of thederivatives of the torsion, equation (1) indicates that control occursthrough inhomogeneous and/or time dependent electromagnetic fields. Aninhomogeneous electric field can therefore cause a variation in thegravitational force (e.g., weight) experienced by a body.

Calculations for such a theory are possible for the case of aspherically-symmetrical earth neglecting the effect of ionosphere. Id.The earth has a radial-symmetric electric field (E) of about 100 voltsper meter. The inhomogeneity in this electric field would produce achange in weight of objects of less than 1 parts in 5×10¹⁰. The strengthof the earth's electric field is relatively small, which could accountfor the fact that gravitational effects have not previously beenrecognized. Also, the derivative of the field varies as E/R, where R isthe distance from the center of the earth and E is the electric field. Ris a relatively large number at the earth's surface, which greatlyreduces the magnitude of the inhomogeneity of the field. The magnitudeof the inhomogeneity will scale as R/r, where r would represent a sphereof arbitrary size and the E field is kept constant at the surface of thesphere. The smaller the sphere, the greater the gravitational fieldproduced for a given E field. For example, the field generated by acharged sphere of laboratory size could greatly exceed the fieldgenerated by its mass.

2. Embodiments

The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention onlyand are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be themost useful and readily understood description of the principles andconceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attemptis made to show structural details of the present invention in moredetail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of thepresent invention, the description taken with the drawings makingapparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of thepresent invention may be embodied in ice.

Not all inhomogeneous electric field configurations will give rise tosignificant gravitational fields. The present disclosure shows preferredelectrode configurations that give rise to inhomogeneous electric fieldscapable of producing significant gravitational fields. Significantgravitational fields means at least one or more of the following:

-   -   1. Gravitational fields with strength large enough to noticeably        affect a mass (preferably a force of at least 1% or more of its        weight, even more preferably on the order of 10% or more of its        weight, most preferably greater than its weight).

2. Gravitational fields with direction.

3. Controllable fields, i.e., fields induced by a mechanism havingcontrol and dynamic alteration of magnitude or direction.

4. Properties detectable for communications systems.

The creation of inhomogenieties, i.e., the divergence or convergence ofelectric field lines, can be achieved with a system of electrodes withcurvature to the surfaces, e.g., spherical, cylindrical, elliptical,parabolic etc., all of which constitute various classes of inhomogeneouscapacitors that can be used to create asymmetrical and inhomogeneousfields of various geometries. Spherical and cylindrical symmetries arepresently preferred. However, other electrode shapes can producesignificant inhomogeneous electric fields. The embodiments disclosedherein are generally designed consistent with the theory as discussedabove. A Field Converter is a device that generates a significantgravitational field based on electromagnetism. Two examples of electrodesystems of particular interest for field generators are (i) aproperly-charged and dimensioned sphere, and (ii) electrodes withspherical curvature.

Capacitor Parameters

To create an electrical field, electricity may be passed to a capacitorwith certain characteristics. The capacitor has preferably twoelectrodes constructed of conducting material such as a metal (e.g.,aluminum, copper, silver, gold, etc.). The electrodes are in proximityof one another and may have a dielectric material interposed therebetween. The electrodes could also have air or a vacuum as a separatingmedium. The electrode system is preferably housed in an insulatingmaterial such one with a low dielectric constant. If the dielectricconstant of the insulating material is low, then the dielectric constantof the material between the electrodes would preferably be high.Conversely if the dielectric constant of the insulating material ishigh, then the dielectric constant of the material between theelectrodes would preferably be low.

The shape of the electrodes, their separation distance, the dielectricmaterial providing separation, the applied voltage, the electricalfield, and the relative position of the electrodes are parameters thataffect the strength and geometric shape of the field produced.

1. Shape and Size of the Electrode Surfaces

Possible shapes for the electrodes include flat, spherical, portions ofspheres (such as hemispherical), cylindrical, linear, conical,paraboloid, or other shapes. If a portion of a sphere is used, aparameter that affects field shape and strength is radius of curvature.Some electrode shapes are amenable to quantifying curvature. Anelectrode may be thin, plate-like, and generally two-dimensional, or maybe a three-dimensional solid. For example, a cone-shaped electrode mayhave a hollow interior or may be solid. Each electrode in a pair (e.g.,those forming a cell) may have the same or different shape and size. Ingeneral, electrodes in a pair having different shapes will produce amore inhomogeneous field.

2. Separation of the Electrodes

Preferably, the electric field strength is increased in value byreducing the separation between the electrodes to just above that atwhich arcing or dielectric breakdown occurs. However, electrodeseparation may have values greater than that which would causedielectric breakdown. The distance between two electrodes may be uniformor may vary over the surface of the electrodes.

3. Dielectric

A dielectric between electrodes can be selected to increase the voltageupper limit at which arcing occurs, resulting in larger electric fields.It can also be used to increase energy density in the capacitor.Further, a dielectric may aid in sandwiching in more electrodes in asingle cell of the type shown in FIG. 1, e.g., to change a single-cellconfiguration from a two-electrode to a multi-electrode system. Adielectric may be oil, TEFLON™, porcelain, polymer (such aspolyethylene), ceramic, mica, MYLAR™, glass, plastic, metal oxide (suchas aluminum oxide), metal titanate (such as barium titanate), distilledwater, air or other mixed gasses, or a pure gas. For the purposes ofdiscussing embodiments of the present invention, a vacuum may alsoconstitute a dielectric material. The particular dielectric used is notlimited to these examples.

Alternately, or in addition, two or more different types of dielectricsmay be used in a single capacitor cell. Such an arrangement ofdielectrics contributes to the inhomogeneous geometry of the inducedfield. Preferably, the dielectrics have similar dielectric breakdownproperties. However, any two dielectrics may be used. By way ofnonlimiting example, a dielectric pair of half air and half glass may beused. Preferably, a material with a high dielectric constant (adimensionless quantity) is used in the source region (the region betweenthe electrodes), and a material with a low dielectric constant is usedelsewhere. That is, preferably the source region should include amaterial that maximizes the field, while materials capable of mining thefield are used elsewhere. To accomplish this, the source region containsa material having a dielectric constant of up to four orders ofmagnitude greater than the dielectric constant of the material elsewhere(e.g., source region material having a dielectric constant of 10,000,and the other material having a dielectric constant of 1).

Dielectric materials are available from several suppliers. KYNAR™(PVDF),having a dielectric constant of about 9, is available from McMaster-CarrSupply Co. Barium titanate, having a dielectric constant of severalthousand, is available from Channel Industries, Inc.

4. Applied Voltage

The strength of the gravitational field can be controlled externally byvarying the voltage applied across the electrodes. Preferably, thevoltage obtains values just under that which would cause arcing ordielectric breakdown. Voltages under this threshold may also be used.The particular voltage will at least partially depend on the characterof the dielectric or lack thereof, the distance between the electrodesand their geometric configuration, and, as discussed further below, thedesired electrical field. The embodiments discussed herein may receivevoltage values of, by way of non-limiting examples, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1,10, 100, 1000, 10,000, 25,000, 50,000, 75,000, 100,000, 250,000,500,000, 750,000 and 1 million volts. Voltage polarity also affects thedirection of the gravitational field.

5. Electrode Orientation

The relative position and orientation of the electrodes is also a factorin capacitor construction. One parameter that affects the fieldgenerated is the total volume between electrodes. The electrodes may begenerally parallel, or may be skewed with respect to each other.

6. Shielding

Electrical shielding is obtained by encasing one electrode of a pairwithin a conducing member electrically connected to the other electrode.If the shield casing is grounded, a positive or negative voltage can beapplied to the shielded center electrode thereby improving the safety ofthe system and reducing electromagnetic emissions. All of the singlecell embodiments are configurable to have such shielding. The arrayembodiments, discussed further below, may employ a separate shield foreach cell, or a single shield for all of the cells. Shieldingeffectively provides a Faraday cage, which prevents substantial amountsof electromagnetic radiation from emanating from the capacitors whileallowing the induced gravitational field to project out of the cell andbeyond the shield.

Electrical shielding also substantially prevents ion wind frominterfering with the gravitational field effects. Ion wind can result insituations when a large potential difference exists between two exposedelectrodes. In that situation, it is possible for charged particles(e.g., electrons or ionized air molecules) to flow between the twoelectrodes thereby causing an inertial force. By enclosing one chargedelectrode within another kept at ground, the effect of ion wind issubstantially eliminated. This ensures that the force produced isexclusively a result of the produced gravitational field. Nonconductivebarriers are not effective in preventing ion wind.

7. Electrical Field Strength

Electrical field is a measurement of electrical potential difference perunit of length. For the present purposes, electrical field is measuredin volts per millimeter (V/mm). An electrode pair having a separationdistance between the electrodes of two millimeters connected to a 20,000volt source will have a electrical field between electrodes of 10,000V/mm. Similarly, an electrode pair with a potential difference of 10volts having a separation gap of one micrometer will also have aelectrical field of 10,000 V/mm Electrical field for a given electrodepair is a function of separation between the electrodes and the voltagesupplied by the electrical source.

Once a size and geometric configuration is selected for a cell or array,the voltage is selected to achieve a preferred electrical field. Forcells having dimensions on the order of nanometers, voltages aretypically on the order of tens of millivolts. For cells havingdimensions on the order of micrometers, voltages are typically on theorder of tens of volts. Preferably, the embodiments disclosed hereinhave a electrical field of between 10 and 100,000 V/mm More preferably,the disclosed embodiments have a electrical field of about 10,000 V/mm.Other preferred linear charge densities include 2500 V/mm, 5000 V/mm,7500 V/mm, 25,000 V/mm, 50,000 V/mm, 75,000 V/mm, 100,000 V/mm, and upto 200,000 V/mm.

8. Fabrication

Standard fabrication techniques may be used for many of the embodimentsdiscussed herein. For example, some of the capacitors may be constructedon standard or specially shaped, preferably fiberglass, printed circuitboards. The electrodes in the printed circuit board embodiment areformed from metal cladding on the board. Specialized circuit boardshaving thicker or thinner width may also be used. Micromachining may beused to produce electrodes in printed circuit board and otherembodiments. For the smaller cells and arrays, known thin-filmdeposition techniques may also be used. Both conducting materials,insulating materials, and various dielectric materials may be formedusing these techniques. Alternately, or in addition, X-ray etching withappropriate masking and chemical wash could be used to generateelectrodes and insulators with the desired properties. Any of the knowntechniques of fabricating integrated circuits may be used to constructthe smaller embodiments disclosed herein. As nanotechnology matures,still other fabrication techniques will become known and may be used.

The Charged Sphere

The electric field of the charged sphere is radial and thereforespherically symmetric. The spherical symmetry in turn produces agravitational field with spherical symmetries. The electric field, E, ofthe charged sphere will decrease as 1/r², where r is the distance fromthe center of the sphere. The derivative of the field scales as E/rwhere r is distance from the center of the sphere. Depending on the signof its charge, the charged sphere would generate a gravitational forcethat would act to either attract or repel massive objects to or awayfrom the center of the sphere. One use of such generators is as a devicefor producing, measuring and demonstrating gravitational effects andtheir principles. Other uses include any applications useful forapplying forces to massive objects, and communications.

Capacitors with Spherically Curved Electrodes

FIG. 1 a illustrates a capacitor 100 involving two spherically curvedelectrodes 110, 120 with radii of curvature R₁ and R₂ respectively thatwill act as a source of an inhomogeneous electric field. Each radius ofcurvature originates at the center 115 of the (imaginary) sphere ofwhich the electrode is part, and terminates at the electrode. Theelectrodes may form portions of concentric spheres (i.e., the centers ofthe two spheres may coincide). Alternately, the centers of the spheresof which the electrodes form portions may be spaced apart. For certainapplications involving only a one electrode pair system the radius R₂ ofthe outer electrode may need to be as large as possible having a valueat least as big as 5 meters. The dimensions of the inner radius R₁ maybe about the same as that of R₂, or may be much smaller. For otherapplications the R₁ and R₂ may be similar ranging from a decameter toseveral tens of microns, always with R₂≧R₁. In some embodiments, R₁ andR₂ may be less than several tens of nanometers. However, R₁ and R₂ mayrange up to several meters.

The face view of the electrodes could be round or rectangular or anyshape that can accommodate spherical curvature. If the electrode has anapproximately circular face, depending on the application and the radiiof curvature, it may need to be several meters across, or severalcentimeters or millimeters across, and most typically several tens ofmicrons across. In some embodiments, the electrodes may be severalnanometers across. If the face of an electrode is a square, rectangle,triangle, or other polygon, the electrode may similarly have a sidemeasurement in the range of several meters, or several millimeters andmost typically several tens of microns, again depending at least in parton the radius of curvature and the application. In some embodiments,such electrodes may have a side measurement of less than several tens ofnanometers. The surface area of the face of the electrode is partlydependent on the radius, but depending on the particular application,may need to be several tens of square meters, or several squaremillimeters and most typically several thousand square microns. In someembodiments, the surface area of the electrode faces may be less thanseveral tens of square microns.

The direction of the majority of the electric field is radial and itssource is generally contained within the region 140 defined by thesurface enclosing the perimeters of the two electrodes. Though the cellsdisclosed herein radiate gravitational fields in all directions, thefield may be concentrated in certain direction(s) by arrangement of theelectrodes and usage of high dielectric constant material in the sourceregion. As used herein, the phrase “the field” or the like refers to thedirectional portion of the field having the highest concentration. Theemerging field is a portion of the omnidirectional radial field of thespherical system. Because of the link of the configuration to that ofthe sphere, the gravitational field source region 140 will exhibitroughly the same symmetries as the electric field. Since gravitationalfields are not attenuated by material boundaries in general, the fieldwill propagate away from the source region 140 retaining the originaldirectional signature of the source region. This electrode configurationshall be called the “conic cell”.

The gap 130 between the two electrodes is preferably less than one meter(but may be greater), more preferably less than one millimeter, and mostpreferably less than several tens of microns. In some embodiments, thegap 130 between the electrodes is less than several tens of nanometers.The voltage range applied across the electrodes depends at least in parton the dielectric used. The voltage range is preferably one millivolt toten thousand volts, more preferably one hundred volts to 1,000,000volts, and for some potential applications preferably up to hundreds ofmillions of volts. Preferably, the voltage is selected so that for theparticular cell size and geometric configuration, the electrical fieldstrength is between 0 and 100,000 V/mm. More preferably, the voltage fora particular cell configuration is selected such that the electricalfield strength is about 10,000 V/mm. By way of non-limiting example, anelectrode gap of 10 nanometers would require a 0.1 volt potential toachieve a 10,000 V/mm electrical field strength.

The derivative of the E field scales as E/r, where r is the approximateradius of the electrodes, so field strength increases as r decreases,i.e., larger curvature yields a larger gravitational field. In otherwords, smaller radii of curvature yield larger gravitational fields.

Alternatively, if the smaller electrode is placed close to the origin ofthe radius of curvature r, the derivative of the field with respect to rincreases significantly in the vicinity of the surface of the electrodebecause of the small values of r there.

The volume of the cell formed may be a significant factor in decidingthe total strength of the resultant gravitational field, which wouldsuggest locating the inner electrode close to the origin of the radiusof curvature and increasing the dimensions of the capacitor.

Whether the field points outward or inward toward the point of origin ofthe radius of curvature depends on the polarity of the potentialdifference applied across the electrodes.

FIG. 1 b illustrates a conic cell having shielding 150 around centerelectrode 160. Shielding 150 is electrically connected to and forms partof electrode 170. Electrode 170 corresponds to electrode 110 in FIG. 1a, and electrode 160 corresponds to electrode 120. That is, the “inner”,or center electrode of FIG. 1 b corresponds to the “outer” electrode ofFIG. 1 a. As in FIG. 1 a, R₂≧R₁. Electrode 160 typically receivespositive or negative charge, while electrode 170 and shielding 150 istypically held at ground. A first dielectric is used for the sourceregion 180, and a second dielectric, which servers to isolate the cellfrom any adjacent cells, is used in the remaining interior 190 of thecell. Preferably, the dielectric constant of the material in the sourceregion 180 is much greater (e.g., one, two, three, or four orders ofmagnitude) than the dielectric constant of the remaining material 190.The dimensions, voltages, and linear charge densities are the same asthose discussed above in reference to FIG. 1 a.

Fabrication of the cells illustrated in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b may beaccomplished by a variety of known techniques. For larger cells,standard machining techniques may be used. Alternately, or in addition,the cells may be constructed using off-the-shelf components. For smallerembodiments, micromachining, thin film, vapor deposition, or otherintegrated circuit fabrication techniques may be used

Cylindrical Cells

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrate cylindrical cells viewed longitudinally andin cross section, the latter illustrating induced gravitational fieldsusing arrows. This electrode configuration, the “pipe configuration”,resembles co-axial cable in that it comprises two cylindricalelectrodes. These could be two pipes: an outer electrode 210 of largerdiameter enclosing an inner one 220 of smaller diameter. Alternatively,the inner electrode 220 could be a solid wire running down the centralaxis of an outer pipe 210 of symmetry as illustrated in FIG. 2 a. Theradius of the outer electrode 210 for some applications may need to beseveral meters. Other applications may require smaller radii, preferablyof several centimeters or millimeters and most typically less thanseveral tens of microns. In some embodiments, the radii of outerelectrodes 210 are less than several tens of nanometers. The innerelectrode 220 must have a smaller radius than the outer electrode 210,ranging from several meters to several tens of microns, or even lessthan several tens of nanometers. Using a wire with small radius for theinner electrode 220 results in large values for the derivative of theelectric field in the vicinity of the wire because of the small valuesof radius of curvature r there. Ideally the radius of the wire would bemade as small as 25 microns. The radius of the wire may be smaller(e.g., several tens on nanometers) or could be larger. The length ofsuch a configuration is preferably in the range of millimeters toseveral tens of meters. The length is limited only by the particularapplication and can be longer. A voltage is applied between the outer210 and inner 220 electrodes at the end of the pipe. The magnitude ofvoltages is similar to those referred to above with regard to FIG. 1 a.Preferably, the electrical field strength is about 10,000 V/mm. Morepreferably, the electrical field strength is between 0 and 100,000 V/mm.The direction of the electric and gravitational fields will becylindrically radial, thereby satisfying in two dimensions similarsymmetry conditions used for the calculations for the three dimensionalspherical case.

Some advantages of the pipes/wire approach are:

-   -   1. The fact that the inner electrode 220 is completely shielded        electrically by the outer electrode 210 essentially eliminates        possible electrostatic coupling with other potential surfaces,        which is relevant to the discussion of arrays below.

2. In addition they are relatively safe in that high voltages can beapplied to the shielded electrode 220.

A single dielectric or multiple dielectrics may be used in the pipeconfiguration. FIG. 2 a shows a configuration with a single dielectric230. Greater versatility is obtained if a dielectric is introduced toproduce asymmetries in the resultant gravitational field. In anembodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2 b, two different dielectrics 240,250 are used in a single cylindrical cell. Appropriate introduction oftwo or more types of dielectric material in a single cell can be used toreduce or increase the gravitational field in selected directions,providing the basis for direction and control of the field. A material250 with a high dielectric constant would maximize the emerging field,while a material 240 with a low dielectric constant minimizes the field.The shape of the dielectric is not limited to that shown in FIG. 2 b.The angle formed by the dielectric as seen in a cross section of thecylinder may range from less than or equal to 180 degrees to even morepreferably less than several tens of degrees and most preferably lessthan several degrees, measured with the inner electrode at the apex. Theemerging gravitational field will be concentrated within the angledefined by the material having high dielectric constant. The dimensions,voltages, and linear charge densities of the cell illustrated in FIG. 2b correspond to those discussed above in reference to FIG. 2 a.

The embodiments of FIGS. 2 a and 2 b may be constructed in a variety ofways. For the larger embodiments, off-the-shelf tubing may be used. Boththe electrodes and the dielectric materials are amenable to suchconstruction. Alternately, or in addition, parts may be extruded,molded, or machined using standard methods. For smaller embodiments,micromachining, thin film, vapor deposition, or other integrated circuitfabrication techniques maybe used.

As discussed further below, assembling an array of pipes can create morepowerful gravitational field configurations.

The configuration shown in FIG. 2 a was used to test the theorydescribed herein. Specifically, a pipe cell was fabricated according tothe following parameters. The inner electrode had a diameter of 1 mm.The plastic dielectric material had an outer diameter of 6 mm and achannel to snugly hold the inner electrode. The dielectric material hada dielectric constant of about 3. The assembled pipe cell was about 2 ftlong. Aluminum foil was formed into a tube having an inner diameter of 6mm, and was used for the outer electrode. A 30,000 volt power supply wasconnected to the pipe cell generating a electrical field strength ofabout 10,000 V/ml A Honeywell QA1400 accelerometer was electricallyisolated from the pipe cell and shielded in a copper pipe Faraday cage.The accelerometer aperture was positioned near the center of the pipe.The experiment resulted in readings of about 120 nano-g's with a signalto noise ratio of between 5 and 10.

Conic Cell Arrays

FIG. 3 shows a conceptual layout which will be called a “Torr Array”with arrows to depict the induced gravitational field. This illustrationdepicts a schematic structure of electrode-pair cells in a latticeconfiguration, each cell producing a gravitational field with desirablecharacteristics. The positioning and number of cells as illustrated inFIG. 3 is exemplary only, other arrangements and quantities of cells insuch an array are also possible. Ideally, in constructing the lattice,the radii of curvature and the area of each cell electrode system shouldbe minimize however, other configurations are possible. The area lostper cell by reducing cell size is offset by adding more cells. Thearrangements depicted in cross section in FIG. 3 is not limited to coniccell arrays; other cells including but not limited to cylindrical andconic mirror cells (described below) may be used.

The sizes of the conic cells 300 used in the upper level are preferablyof the order of tens of microns to several centimeters. As depicted inFIG. 3, preferably the lower levels enclose cells 300 with smallerdimensions than those enclosed in the upper levels. Various cell sizesmay be used depending on the particular application or to producecertain desirable characteristics in the beam such as less granularity.

The separation between the cells 300 can vary from several nanometers toseveral meters. In some embodiments, the outer cell casings 310 maytouch or adjacent cells may share casings. The intercellular distance ispreferably less than one centimeter, more preferably less than onemillimeter, and most preferably less than tens of microns.

By making each electrode small (e.g., near the lower end of the rangesdescribed herein), the actual surfaces will approximate a system of flatelectrodes without losing curvature. Such a configuration would not onlyreduce edge effects that could otherwise introduce spurious electricfields, but would also produce a gravitational field with a beam-likecharacteristic. The housing and lattice support materials may beinsulators designed to electrically isolate one cell from another toeliminate or reduce cross coupling of electrodes and connecting wires,as well as provide directionality to the gravitational field. Cellscould be activated individually, in groups or en masse. There arepreferably as many as a billion, more preferably as many as 10¹², andmost preferably as many as 10¹⁵ such cells in an array. In someembodiments, 1,000 or more cells will suffice.

In one embodiment, the housing and lattice support may be electricallyconductive. This embodiment is suited for implementing shielded coniccells such as that illustrated in FIG. 1 b. Other cell typesimplementing shielding may be used in arrays having electricallyconductive housing and lattice support. In shielded cell embodiments,the housing typically forms part of the shield and is electricallyconnected thereto.

The voltages, dimensions, geometric configurations, and linear chargedensities correspond to those discussed above in reference to the singleconic cell of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b.

The embodiment FIG. 3 may be constructed in a variety of ways. For thelarger embodiments, off-the-shelf materials may be used. Both theelectrodes and the dielectric materials are amenable to suchconstruction. Alternately, or in addition, standard custom extruded,molded, or machined parts may be used. For smaller embodiments,micromachining, thin film, vapor deposition, or other integrated circuitfabrication techniques maybe used.

The Gravitational Lens

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a gravitational lens, illustrating thegravitational field using arrows. Gravitational energy may beconcentrated at a specific location 410 by creating a lattice structureof cells 420 with a curvature to each layer 430, 440 in the structure.FIG. 4 illustrates two separated layers 430, 440. Each layer has anarray of individual cells 420 positioned along a curved surface, whichmay be a portion of a sphere or paraboloid. According to anotherembodiment, layers 430, 440 are stacked directly without gaps betweenthem. There may be from one to several tens of layers. Curvature ofvarious types in the array surface could meet a variety of applicationneeds.

FIG. 4 depicts a spherical curvature designed to focus the gravitationalfield at a point 410. The gravitational field lines follow a conicalpattern with the point 410 at its apex Each layer 430, 440 comprises aportion of one of two concentric imaginary spheres with point 410 attheir mutual center. According to alternate embodiments, the focuslocation of the gravitational lens could be a line segment, a line, aregion, or any other geometrical portion of space. We describe a meansof making the location programmable below. In choosing the gravitationallens geometry to accomplish a given focus location, the analysis issimilar to that for achieving a focus location for light withtraditional glass lenses.

The particular cell parameters (e.g., voltages, geometricconfigurations, dimensions, spacing, linear charge densities) arediscussed elsewhere herein in the sections detailing particular celltypes. Cells 420 may comprise conic cells, cylindrical cells asdiscussed below, or any other cell type according to the disclosedembodiments.

Cylindrical Cell Arrays

FIG. 5 illustrates a two-dimensional cut through a three-dimensionalpipe array with an example of how two dielectrics 510, 520 could beinserted to obtain a specific configuration of the resultinggravitational field (depicted by arrows). The structure, a Vargas Array,could be an assembly of parallel pipes, holes drilled in a metal block,or other arrangement of pipes. For certain applications just one suchcell may suffice, but some applications would require at least 100thousand, and most applications most preferably more than 100 million ormore. An advantageous feature is the absence in the array itself of anyconnecting wires, except for the inner electrodes. Furthermore, there isno potential (i.e., voltage) difference between any external electrode,thereby eliminating possible inter-coupling of electrodes.

The dimensions, linear charge densities, and applicable voltages of theindividual cylindrical cells are as described above in reference to theindividual cells of FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. The intercellular distance woulddepend at least in part on the dimensions of the cells, but arepreferably less than tens of meters, more preferably less than severalmillimeters, and most preferably several tens of microns. In someembodiments, the intercellular distance may be less than several tens onnanometers, or the cells may touch

The gravitational beam generated by a single cell exhibits no angularspread outside the plane of symmetry. However, the angular spread in theplane of symmetry would be 360 degrees in the absence of a dielectric.The angular spread of the field generated by the array of pipes may bereduced by choice of the array dielectric properties and the arraystructure so that unwanted vectors would be canceled out.

FIG. 6 shows how the pipes can be assembled in a configuration thatwould serve as a multidirectional engine, referred to here as a “VargasEngine”. The sub arrays are activated to generate a force in any one ofsix directions normal to the sides of the cubic army sour of six sidesare illustrated in FIG. 6.) The force may be directed away from or intoeach side. The spread angle for the field in any one of the directionsindicated is technically 180 degrees, but it could be reduced asmentioned above. The applicable voltages, linear charge densities,intercellular distances, and general dimensions are described above inreference to FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, and 5.

Cylindrical Mirror Cells—A Combination of Pipe and Conic Cells

FIG. 7 illustrates a longitudinal and cross-section views of acylindrical mirror design. This configuration utilizes features of theconic and pipe designs. Using only a small angular segment 710 of theouter pipe in the plane of symmetry reduces angular spread. The angle ispreferably in the range of 30 to 180 degrees, more preferably in therange of 10 to 30 degrees, and most preferably in the range of less thanten degrees.

Preferable lengths are in the range of 1 to 10 millimeters, morepreferably in the range of 1 to 10 centimeters, and most preferably inthe range of 10 centimeters to hundreds of meters. This could replacethe conic electrodes down the entire length of the array illustrated inFIG. 3, which reduces edge and coupling effects resulting fromconnecting wires, because the only electrical connections to the cellare at the very end of the array. The inner electrode 720 could be awire or cylinder placed at the origin of the radius of curvature ofouter electrode 710, or it could be an inner cylindrical segment placedanywhere between the origin of the radius of curvature and the outerelectrode. That is, the inner electrode 720 may be a cylinder or anarcuate segment. The radius of an inner cylinder electrode 720 (orcylinder of which the arcuate segment may be part) is preferably in therange of 1 to 100 centimeters, more preferably in the range of 1 to 10millimeters and most preferably in the range of less than onemillimeter. In some embodiments, the radius of the inner electrodecylinder 720 (or associated cylinder, for an arcuate segment) may beless than several tens of nanometers. The radius of the outer arcuatecylinder electrode 710 is similar to and larger than that of the innerelectrode. The distances between the electrodes are similar to thosediscussed above with respect to the conical cell, that is, preferablyless than one meter (but may be greater than one meter), more preferablyless than one millimeter, and most preferably less than several tens ofnanometers. The voltages and linear charge densities are similar tothose referred to above with regard to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b. The mainadvantages of this electrode configuration are:

-   -   1. A gravitational beam could be generated that would vary in        strength with distance r as nr_(o)/r, where r_(o) is the radius        of curvature of the outer electrode, and n is the number of        pipes across one side of the array. A system could comprise just        one such cell, more preferably up to 1,000,000 and most        preferably up to one billion or more.    -   2. A reduction in angular spread    -   3. Improved directional characteristics relative to the conic        cell.

If a larger spread is desired without degradation in the 1/r loss law,cells could be assembled in an arc with the desired curvature. Thesewould comprise an assembly of linear segments. Both cylindrical mirrorand cylindrical cells could be used. One application would be forcommunications, where the 1/r loss dependence would be a designcriterion for practical applications.

FIG. 8 a illustrates a cylindrical mirror cell having a conductiveshield 820 and two arcuate segment electrodes 810, 830. FIG. 8 billustrates a cross section of the cell depicted in FIG. 8 a. In thisembodiment, the inner electrode 810 with radius of curvature R2 isenclosed in an electrically conductive member 820. The other electrode,with radius of curvature R1, comprises a portion of the shield 830. Theouter portion of the shield has radius of curvature R3. Curvature ispreferably minimized on the remaining parts of the shield (i,e., thosenot part of the outer electrode 830). Any fields generated by thecorners are reduced by embedding the source region 840 in an insulator850 with low dielectric constant The source region 840 preferablycontains material of high dielectric constant. As discussed earlier, theouter shield may be held at ground while providing positive or negativevoltage to the inner electrode. The main advantages of the cellularmirror configuration are:

-   -   1. Shielding substantially reduces electrostatic coupling        between charged electrodes in different cells.

2. Very high voltages may be applied to the shielded electrode in arelatively safe manner.

3. The layer design of the cell structure may be manufactured using, byway of non-limiting example, standard techniques or thin filmdeposition.

FIG. 8 c illustrates a stacked array of cylindrical mirror cells. Inthis embodiment, the bottom surface 860 of one cell may abut the topsurface 880 of another cell (see FIG. 8 b). The entire shield 820 ispreferably electrically connected to ground. The electrical andgeometric parameters are otherwise the same as those discussed above forthe single cylindrical mirror cell of FIG. 8 a.

The cylindrical mirror embodiments of FIGS. 8 a-c may be constructed ina variety of ways. For the larger embodiments, off-the-shelf materialsmay be used. Both the electrodes and the dielectric materials areamenable to such construction. Alternately, or in addition, standardcustom extruded, molded, or machined parts may be used. For smallerembodiments, micromachining, thin film, vapor deposition, or otherintegrated circuit fabrication techniques may be used.

The Gravitational Beam

The intensity of the gravitational effect may be concentrated byselecting cells having anisotropic characteristics and by forminglattices. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a two-dimensional cut througha three dimensional lattice of cells. This lattice configurationproduces a gravitational beam, some features of which are describedpresently. As used herein, the term “gravitation beam” connotes bothfixed beams and beams whose intensity varies over time such as thoseused for communications as discussed further below. The embodiments usedto generate a gravitation beam may employ conical cells, cylindricalcells, cylindrical mirror cells, or any of the other cell typesdisclosed herein having an anisotropic characteristic. Note that all ofthe cell designs disclosed herein create a gravitational field in alldirections; the beam is concentrated in certain directions byarrangement of the electrodes and the dielectric material(s). Each dot900 in FIG. 9 represents one cell of a type described herein. Linesemerging therefrom represent the concentrated portion of the beamdiverging from the cell. The symbol θ represents the angular divergenceof (the majority of) the beam from an individual cell. Hence, θ willdepend on at least the particular cells used, their electrodearrangements, and the arrangement of the dielectric material(s).Parallel lines in FIG. 9 represent substantially divergence-freecomponents of the exiting beam, i.e., parallel bundles. Because thesebeams are substantially divergence-free, they lose negligible energy.Hence, the field strength is additive; that is, the field strengthproduced by n cells each having force g₀ would be ng₀. The decay inenergy of the beam illustrated in FIG. 9 is due to the divergence of theoverall beam exiting the aperture 910. The magnitude of applicablevoltages and linear charge densities for a cell array are similar tothose referred to above with regard to FIG. 1 a. Examples of potentialapplications of a device of this type would be lifting or propulsion ofobjects. Self propulsion is also a possibility.

Because of symmetry in the case of cylindrical cells, cylindrical mirrorcells, and generally any of the longitudinal cells, it suffices toconsider a cross section to analyze the spread characteristics of thegravity beam produced by these types of cells.

Turning now to the case of a cylindrical mirror array, for an individualcell (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 7), the strength of the field as afunction of the distance R from the array is given by R₀/R, whereR₀≈L/(2 tan(θ/2)) for R>>R₀. The symbol θ here represents the angleformed by the cylindrical mirror itself. Here, L≈nr₀, where n is thenumber of cells straddling the aperture 910 in the array and r₀ is thewidth of a single cell. Hence, L approximates the width of the aperture910 of the array. By way of nonlimiting example, for a cell width of onemicron, an array of one million cells would have L=1 meter. L may alsotake on other values. The decay of the field strength at a distance Rfrom the aperture is thus approximated by 1/R for cylindrical mirrorcells.

Turning to the case of cylindrical cells having two dielectric materials(e.g., as shown in FIG. 2 b), the decay of the field strength as afunction of distance R from the aperture 910 is calculated. This isgiven by the ratio of the aperture width L to the beam width W atdistance R. The symbol θ represents the angle formed by the materialwith a high dielectric constant in a cross section of the cell. Hence,L/W=L/(L+2 R tan(θ/2)). For R>>L, this equation reduces to that givenfor the cylindrical mirror case above.

A conic cell array may also be used to generate a gravitation beam See,e.g., FIGS. 1 a and 1 b for an individual cell. The cone angle (i.e., θ)of a single cell may be that defined by the cell geometry, which meansthe cone angle could be made relatively small. The cone angles are lessthan 180 degrees, preferably less than several tens of degrees and mostpreferably less than five degrees. The resulting beam from the latticewill be the superposition of all the exit cones generated by the cellsof the lattice with a net angular spread equal to that of a single cell.For example, for a cell diameter equal to ⅛ the radius of curvature, thecone angle, θ, would be approximately 4 degrees. Any object intersectingthe full cross-sectional area of the beam would feel the effect of thefull force of the beam.

For a conic cell array, the field strength on a mass at a distance Rfrom the lattice would vary approximately as (R_(o)/R)² for square orcircular cells where: R_(o)=nr₀, r_(o) tan(θ) is the radius of curvatureof a circular (cylindrically shaped) array of conic cells (or half thelength of the side of a square array of cells), r₀ is the cell outerelectrode radius of curvature, and n is the number of cells along theradius of a cylindrical array (or half the number along the length ofthe side of a square array). A square array could have a side lengthranging from several millimeters to hundreds of meters. Similarly acircular array could have a radius between several millimeters andhundreds of meters. Although smaller cellular angular dimensions resultin a closer approximation to a divergence-free beam, this divergence ofthe beam is the very property that gives rise to the gravitational fieldin the first place. In short, the gravitation beam has a roughly conicalshape in embodiments employing a conic cell array. This means that thefield will decrease as 1/R², where R is the distance form the aperture,which is an important consideration for some applications.

Architecture for Real-Time Controllable Gravitational Field Patterns

FIG. 10 illustrates a real-time controllable gravitational fieldgenerator. Programmable gravitational field patterns can be implementedin many different ways, by generating a lattice 1000 whose elements eachcomprise a sub-lattice 1010 of independently-controllable conic cells1030. One configuration places a miniature sphere of gravity cells 1030at each lattice point. The cells 1030 are mounted on the surface of thesphere. By simultaneously applying a voltage to similarly-located cells(e.g., 1041, 1042 and 1043) on each sphere in lattice 1000, agravitational beam or beams could be controllably generated in anydesired direction (e.g., 1050 for corresponding cells 1041, 1042 and1043) or in multiple directions simultaneously. An application for sucha system would be the controllable generation of a beam to impart forceon an object or multiple simultaneous beams in the case of multipleobjects. The concept can be readily implemented by computer control 1060of cell activation voltages. Any of the cell types disclosed herein maybe employed. The voltages, linear charge densities, dimensions, andgeometric configurations are discussed in the sections dedicated to theparticular cell type used.

Communications

A time-dependent electric field will produce a time-dependentpropagation of a gravitational field away from the source at the speedof light with each cyclic reversal. Because of the miniaturization ofthe capacitor cells, the applied voltage could be varied at frequenciesup to and beyond gigahertz. Amplitude or frequency modulating the sourcevoltage using known techniques would produce a communication capability.All presently-recognized matter would be impervious to the gravitationalfield so generated, so that the Earth, for example, would not impedetransmissions. The angular emission pattern could be defined using thelattice techniques described above, so that energy could be focused intoa solid angle pattern. The field strength needed for any particularapplication would be realized by either adding enough cells to thelattice system, or by increasing the applied voltages and dielectricconstant.

The propagating gravitational field would exert an oscillatory force onany material object in its path. However, if the frequency is highenough most matter will not respond appreciably because of inertia.Small charged or uncharged particles would be affected by the field.Free electrons, for example, would be highly responsive to any appliedgravitational force. An oscillatory force acting on the free electronswould result in an oscillating current (e.g., in a wire or antenna)oriented along the direction of the propagating gravitational field. Thecurrent in the wire would be detectable in a manner similar to thatgenerated by electromagnetic radiation. Preferably, the orientation ofthe antenna will allow for the projection of a nonzero component of thegravitational field in the direction of the detector. Conventionaldetector theory would largely apply, and existing detector systems couldbe used.

The gravitational field can penetrate a conducting shield that wouldexclude electromagnetic radiation. For example, a conventional radioreceiver protected by a Faraday cage cannot detect signals thatoriginate from outside the cage. Gravitational signals, on the otherhand, would be detected.

Gravitational signals can penetrate matter such as earth and water. Thispresents the possibility of sending gravitational signals to submergedreceivers. Submarines and bathyspheres, by way of non-limiting example,could both broadcast and receive signals, enabling two-way wirelesscommunication with stations on dry land. Additionally, gravitationalsignals could be broadcast through mountains and would be unaffected bymost weather conditions.

FIG. 11 a is a block diagram of a communications system according to anembodiment of the present invention. The signal source 1100 produces atime-varying voltage signal, which feeds into a modulator 1110.Modulator 1110 receives electrical power from a standard supply 1120 andproduces a time-varying electrical carrier signal modulated by thesource signal. The modulator 1110 may conventionally modulate amplitude,frequency, phase, or any other modulatable parameter of an electricalsignal. Many types of modulation are known in the art and can be used.The output of modulator 1110 is an electrical signal used to control ahigh-voltage power supply 1130, which provides a time-varying, highvoltage signal to field converter 1140.

Field converter 1140 may include any of the field converterconfigurations disclosed herein, including individual cells and arrays.Any individual cell type disclosed herein may make up the constituentcells of the arrays shaped according to FIGS. 11 b-d, including but notlimited to conic cells, cylindrical cells, and cylindrical mirror cells.Field converter 1140 generates time-varying gravitational fields thatwould propagate according to the nature of the selected cell(s) orarrays. By way of non-limiting example, a spherical array of sphericalcells as illustrated in FIG. 11 b may be used to broadcast in alldirections; a cylindrical array of cylindrical cells as illustrated inFIG. 11 c may be used to broadcast in a substantially two-dimensionalpattern; and an the arcuate segment shaped array of FIG. 11 d may beused to broadcast in a substantially one-dimensional direction. FIG. 11d depicts an arc, which is comprised of linear cell segments. That is,the shape is formed by a plurality of longitudinal cells, which arearranged to form an arc as a series straight line shapes. Alternately,the shapes illustrated in FIGS. 11 b-d may be homogenous metallicmembers that may be charged (e.g., the charged sphere as discussed abovemay be used).

Field converter 1140 may also be a single homogeneous capacitor. If atime-dependent voltage is applied to a homogeneous capacitor, forcertain frequencies the electric field between the plates will fall offfrom the center to the edges of the capacitor in a sinusoidal way. Thisspatial field pattern will give rise to a non-zero derivative of theelectric field in a direction parallel to the plates, and will thereforeconstitute another means of generating gravitational fields.

FIG. 12 illustrates a field converter 1140 implemented as a flat arrayof inhomogeneous capacitors. By way of non-limiting example, the arraymay be constructed from a standard fiberglass printed circuit board,metal clad on both sides 1200, 1210. One electrode would include anentire side 1210 of the circuit board clad in metal. Multiple connectedelectrodes 1220 are formed by etching the opposite side 1200. Themultiple electrodes could comprise a series of strips, squares,rectangles, or any other shape. Strips could range in length fromseveral meters to several millimeters, and range in width from severalcentimeters to several tens of nanometers. Because the small strips areof different size compared to the opposite metal-clad side, the electricfield generated will be inhomogeneous. The voltages and linear chargedensities are similar to those discussed above in reference to FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 13 illustrates a dipole antenna that may be used to receive bothelectromagnetic and gravitational signals. In the presence of anelectromagnetic field, a charge will oscillate along both wires,yielding a potential difference across the gap between the wires. Thisvoltage can be detected, demodulated, amplified, processed if necessary,and output for communications purposes. The behavior of this antenna inthe presence of a gravitational field would be generally the same as foran electromagnetic field, after accounting for differences in amplitude.Due to differences between electromagnetic and gravitational fields,(e.g., the direction of the gravitational field will be parallel to thedirection of propagation), the optimal direction configuration forreception of gravity fields is preferably 90 degrees to that of anelectromagnetic receiver. The type of antenna used to detect or receivegravitational signals is not limited to dipole antennas. Other types ofantennas may be used.

Note that communications using gravitational fields differ from thosethat behave in accordance with Maxwell's equations of electrodynamics.For example, a pipe array or cylindrical mirror array can transmit afield whose strength will decay as 1/r, where r is the distance from thebroadcasting device. At activation, such a device will generate agravitational field g(0) at time 0 detected at a distance r₀ from thedevice. If the amplitude of the signal is sinusoidal the detected fieldwill vary with time t at distance r as:g(r,t)=g(0)e ^(ik(t-r/c)) r ₀ /r,where r is the distance from point r₀ at the source. There may bedepartures from the 1/r magnitude rule as r becomes much greater thanthe dimensions of the array.

The receiver operates by exploiting Newton's law, F=mass ×g(r,t). Bothneutral and charged particles will experience this force. For thesinusoidal example above, a time dependent current will be generated byfree charges moving under the influence of gravitational force, with anassociated electric field of E(t)=−∂A/dt, where A is the vector magneticpotential produced by the generated electric current Preferably theelectric current is detected by the receiver; however, other parameterssuch as voltage may also be detected.

It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely forthe purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limitingof the present invention. While the present invention has been describedwith reference to certain embodiments, it is understood that the wordswhich have been used herein are words of description and illustration,rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made as presently statedand as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent invention in its aspects. Although the present invention hasbeen described herein with reference to particular means, materials andembodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to theparticulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends toall functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses.

1. An apparatus for generating an inhomogeneous electric fieldcomprising: a first electrode having an electrically-conductive, open,concave surface characterized by a first radius of curvature; a secondelectrode having an electrically-conductive, convex surfacecharacterized by a second radius of curvature less than or equal to thefirst radius; said second electrode being at least partially concentricwith said first electrode; said convex and concave surfaces beingelectrically separated from one another and aligned to generate aninhomogeneous electric field when charged with a voltage potential; andsaid electrodes being charged with a potential difference generating aninhomogeneous electric field of at least about 10,000 volts/millimeter.2. The apparatus of claim 1 where at least one of the convex and concavesurfaces is characterized as a portion of a first hollow sphere.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1 where: the concave surface is characterized as aportion of a circular cylinder having a central axis; and the convexelectrode is a conductor extending at least partially along the centralaxis.
 4. An apparatus for generating an inhomogeneous electric fieldcomprising: a first electrode having a generally cylindrical cavity withan axis; a second electrode positioned at least partially within thecylindrical cavity and electrically separated from the first electrode;and at least one material having a dielectric property distributed atleast partially between the first and second electrodes; wherein thefirst electrode, second electrode, and at least one material having adielectric property are aligned to generate an axially non-uniform,inhomogeneous electric field when the first and second electrodes arecharged with a voltage potential.
 5. An array formed of a plurality ofcells, each cell generating an inhomogeneous electric field having anaxis along which the inhomogeneous electric field has a maximummagnitude, where the plurality of cells are oriented such that therespective axes of maximum magnitudes are commonly aligned in aconverging alignment.
 6. An array as in claim 5 where at least one cellis an apparatus of claim
 1. 7. An array as in claim 5 where at least onecell is an apparatus of claim
 3. 8. An array as in claim 5 where atleast one cell is an apparatus of claim
 4. 9. An apparatus comprised ofat least two arrays of claim 5, each array having an array-axis alongwhich the net electric field has a maximum magnitude, where thearray-axis of a first array is not parallel with the array axis of asecond array.
 10. An array as in claim 5 wherein each of the pluralityof cells has a first electrode, and the first electrodes of the cellsare electrically connected one to another.
 11. The apparatus of claim 4where the convex and concave surfaces are charged with a potentialdifference generating an inhomogeneous electric field of at least about10,000 volts/millimeter.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprisinga source of a time varying voltage potential connected to said first andsecond electrodes.
 13. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising asource of a time varying voltage potential connected to said first andsecond electrodes.
 14. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising asource of a time varying voltage potential connected to said first andsecond electrodes.
 15. A device for generating an inhomogeneouselectrical field comprising: a first electrode having a first shapebeing one of: a portion of a sphere, a cone, a paraboloid, a cylinder; ahollow sphere, a hollow cone, a hollow paraboloid, and a hollowcylinder, a second electrode being spaced from said second electrode andhaving a second shape being one of: a portion of a sphere, a cone, aparaboloid, a cylinder, a hollow sphere, a hollow cone, a hollowparaboloid and a hollow cylinder, said first and second electrodes beingaligned to produce an inhomogeneous electric field when charged with avoltage potential; and said first and second electrodes being chargedwith a voltage potential sufficient to generate a gravitational effectof at least about 100 nano-g's.
 16. An apparatus for generating aninhomogeneous electric field comprising: a first electrode having anelectrically conductive, open, first curved surface characterized by afirst radius of curvature having a first center point; a secondelectrode having an electrically conductive, second curved surfacecharacterized by a second radius of curvature having a second centerpoint, the second radius of curvature being less than or substantiallyequal to the first radius of curvature; the first and second centerpoints coinciding or being spaced apart; the first and second curvedsurfaces having opposed concave and convex shapes, respectively; thefirst and second curved surfaces being electrically separated from oneanother to generate an inhomogeneous electric field when charged with avoltage potential; and the electrodes being charged with a potentialdifference generating an inhomogeneous electric field of at least about10,000 volts/millimeter.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 furthercomprising a source of a time varying voltage potential connected to thefirst and second electrodes.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein thefirst curved surface is characterized as at least a portion of a firsthollow sphere.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: the first curvedsurface is characterized as a portion of a circular cylinder having acentral axis; and the second curved surface is a conductor extending atleast partially along the central axis of the portion of the circularcylinder.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the conductor is a wireor a portion of a cylinder.
 21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein thesecond electrode is concentric with the first electrode.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 16 further comprising a first dielectric positionedbetween the first and second electrodes.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22further comprising a second dielectric positioned between the first andsecond electrodes.
 24. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprisingelectrical shielding at least partially surrounding at least one of thefirst and second electrodes.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 furthercomprising a dielectric inside the shielding.
 26. The apparatus of claim16 wherein the first and second electrodes are separated by a distanceabove that where arcing or dielectric breakdown occurs.
 27. An apparatusfor generating an inhomogeneous electric field comprising: a firstelectrode having a generally cylindrical cavity with a central axis; asecond electrode positioned within the cylindrical cavity andelectrically separated from the first electrode; a first dielectricmaterial located between the first and second electrodes; the first andsecond electrodes and the first dielectric material being aligned togenerate a non-uniform, inhomogeneous electric field when the first andsecond electrodes are charged with a voltage potential; and theelectrodes being charged with a potential difference generating aninhomogeneous electric field of at least about 10,000 volts/millimeter.28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the second electrode lies alongthe central axis of the cylindrical cavity.
 29. The apparatus of claim27 further comprising a source of a time varying voltage potentialconnected to said first and second electrodes.
 30. The apparatus ofclaim 27 further comprising electrical shielding at least partiallysurrounding the first and second electrodes.
 31. The apparatus of claim27 further comprising a dielectric inside the shielding.
 32. A devicefor generating an inhomogeneous electrical field comprising: a firstelectrode having a first shape being one of: a portion of a sphere, acone, a paraboloid, a cylinder, a flat sheet or plate and a flat grid; asecond electrode being spaced from the first electrode and having asecond shape being one of: a portion of a sphere, a cone, a paraboloid,a cylinder, a flat sheet or plate and a flat grid; the first and secondelectrodes being aligned to produce an inhomogeneous electric field whencharged with a voltage potential; and the first and second electrodesbeing charged with a voltage potential sufficient to generate agravitational effect of at least about 100 nano-g's, wherein if thefirst electrode is a plate, the second electrode is not a cone, andwherein if the first electrode is a cone, the second electrode is not aplate.
 33. The device of claim 32 wherein the grid comprises strips ofthe same or different width slanted with respect to one another.
 34. Thedevice of claim 32 wherein the sphere, cone, paraboloid or cylinder ishollow.
 35. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising a source of atime varying voltage potential connected to the first and secondelectrodes.
 36. The apparatus of claim 35 further comprising a firstdielectric positioned between the first and second electrodes.
 37. Theapparatus of claim 36 further comprising a second dielectric positionedbetween the first and second electrodes.
 38. The apparatus of claim 32further comprising electrical shielding at least partially surroundingthe first and second electrodes.
 39. The apparatus of claim 38 furthercomprising a dielectric inside the shielding.
 40. The apparatus of claim32 wherein the first and second electrodes are separated by a distanceabove that where arcing or dielectric breakdown occurs.
 41. An arraycomprising a plurality of cells, each cell generating an inhomogeneouselectric field having an axis along which the inhomogeneous electricfield has a maximum magnitude, wherein the plurality of cells areoriented such that the respective axes of maximum magnitudes arecommonly aligned.
 42. An array of claim 41 where at least one cell is anapparatus for generating an inhomogeneous electric field comprising: afirst electrode having an electrically conductive, open, first curvedsurface characterized by a first radius of curvature having a firstcenter point; a second electrode having an electrically conductive,second curved surface characterized by a second radius of curvaturehaving a second center point, the second radius of curvature being lessthan or substantially equal to the first radius of curvature; the firstand second center points coinciding or being spaced apart; the first andsecond curved surfaces having opposed concave and convex shapes,respectively; the first and second curved surfaces being electricallyseparated from one another to generate an inhomogeneous electric fieldwhen charged with a voltage potential; and the electrodes being chargedwith a potential difference generating an inhomogeneous electric fieldof at least about 10,000 volts/millimeter.
 43. An array of claim 41where at least one cell is an apparatus for generating an inhomogeneouselectric field comprising: a first electrode having a generallycylindrical cavity with a central axis; a second electrode positionedwithin the cylindrical cavity and electrically separated from the firstelectrode; a first dielectric material located between the first andsecond electrodes; the first and second electrodes and the firstdielectric material being aligned to generate a non-uniform,inhomogeneous electric field when the first and second electrodes arecharged with a voltage potential; and the electrodes being charged witha potential difference generating an inhomogeneous electric field of atleast about 10,000 volts/millimeter.
 44. An array of claim 41 where atleast one cell is a device for generating an inhomogeneous electricalfield comprising: a first electrode having a first shape being one of: aportion of a sphere, a cone, a paraboloid, a cylinder, a flat sheet orplate and a flat grid; a second electrode being spaced from the firstelectrode and having a second shape being one of: a portion of a sphere,a cone, a paraboloid, a cylinder, a flat sheet or plate and a flat grid;the first and second electrodes being aligned to produce aninhomogeneous electric field when charged with a voltage potential; andthe first and second electrodes being charged with a voltage potentialsufficient to generate a gravitational effect of at least about 100nano-g's, wherein if the first electrode is a plate, the secondelectrode is not a cone, and wherein if the first electrode is a cone,the second electrode is not a plate.
 45. An apparatus comprising atleast two arrays of claim 41, each array having an array-axis alongwhich the net electric field has a maximum magnitude, where thearray-axis of a first array is not parallel with the array axis of asecond array.
 46. An array of claim 41 wherein each of the plurality ofcells has a first electrode, and the first electrodes of the cells areelectrically connected one to another.
 47. An array of claim 46 whereinthe respective axes of maximum magnitudes are commonly aligned in aconverging alignment.
 48. The apparatus of claim 41 further comprisingelectrical shielding at least partially surrounding the first and secondelectrodes.
 49. The apparatus of claim 48 further comprising adielectric inside the shielding.
 50. The apparatus of claim 41 furthercomprising a source of a time varying voltage potential connected to thefirst and second electrodes.
 51. An array comprising a plurality ofcells, each cell having first and second separated electrodes andgenerating an inhomogeneous electric field having an axis along whichthe inhomogeneous electric field has a maximum magnitude, wherein theplurality of cells are oriented such that the respective axes of maximummagnitudes are commonly aligned, the electrodes comprising a portion ofa sphere, a cone, a paraboloid, a cylinder, a flat sheet or plate or aflat grid.
 52. An array of claim 51 where at least one cell is anapparatus for generating an inhomogeneous electric field comprising: afirst electrode having an electrically conductive, open, first curvedsurface characterized by a first radius of curvature having a firstcenter point; a second electrode having an electrically conductive,second curved surface characterized by a second radius of curvaturehaving a second center point, the second radius of curvature being lessthan or substantially equal to the first radius of curvature; the firstand second center points coinciding or being spaced apart; the first andsecond curved surfaces having opposed concave and convex shapes,respectively; the first and second curved surfaces being electricallyseparated from one another to generate an inhomogeneous electric fieldwhen charged with a voltage potential; and the electrodes being chargedwith a potential difference generating an inhomogeneous electric fieldof at least about 10,000 volts/millimeter.
 53. An array of claim 51where at least one cell is an apparatus for generating an inhomogeneouselectric field comprising: a first electrode having a generallycylindrical cavity with a central axis; a second electrode positionedwithin the cylindrical cavity and electrically separated from the firstelectrode; a first dielectric material located between the first andsecond electrodes; the first and second electrodes and the firstdielectric material being aligned to generate a non-uniform,inhomogeneous electric field when the first and second electrodes arecharged with a voltage potential; and the electrodes being charged witha potential difference generating an inhomogeneous electric field of atleast about 10,000 volts/millimeter.
 54. An array of claim 51 where atleast one cell is a device for generating an inhomogeneous electricalfield comprising: a first electrode having a first shape being one of: aportion of a sphere, a cone, a paraboloid, a cylinder, a flat sheet orplate and a flat grid; a second electrode being spaced from the firstelectrode and having a second shape being one of: a portion of a sphere,a cone, a paraboloid, a cylinder, a flat sheet or plate and a flat grid;the first and second electrodes being aligned to produce aninhomogeneous electric field when charged with a voltage potential; andthe first and second electrodes being charged with a voltage potentialsufficient to generate a gravitational effect of at least about 100nano-g's, wherein if the first electrode is a plate, the secondelectrode is not a cone, and wherein if the first electrode is a cone,the second electrode is not a plate.
 55. The apparatus of claim 51further comprising electrical shielding at least partially surroundingthe first and second electrodes.
 56. The apparatus of claim 55 furthercomprising a dielectric inside the shielding.
 57. The apparatus of claim51 further comprising a source of a time varying voltage potentialconnected to the first and second electrodes.
 58. An apparatus forgenerating an inhomogeneous electric field comprising: a first electrodehaving an electrically conductive, open, first curved concave surfacecharacterized by a first radius of curvature; a second electrode havingan electrically conductive, second concave curved surface characterizedby a second radius of curvature less than or substantially equal to thefirst radius of curvature; a first dielectric material located betweenthe first and second electrodes; the first electrode being shielded byshielding electrically connected to and forming part of the secondelectrode; a second dielectric material located inside the shielding;the first and second curved surfaces being electrically separated fromone another to generate an inhomogeneous electric field when chargedwith a voltage potential; and the electrodes being charged with apotential difference generating an inhomogeneous electric field of atleast about 10,000 volts/millimeter.
 59. The apparatus of claim 58wherein the dielectric constant of the first dielectric material isgreater than the dielectric constant of the second dielectric material.60. An apparatus for generating an inhomogeneous electric fieldcomprising: a first electrode having a cylindrical shape defining acylindrical cavity with a central axis; a second electrode positionedwithin the cylindrical cavity generally along the central axis andelectrically separated from the first electrode; a first dielectricmaterial located at least partially between the first and secondelectrodes; and a second dielectric material located at least partiallybetween the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode,second electrode, and the first dielectric material are aligned togenerate a non-uniform, inhomogeneous electric field when the first andsecond electrodes are charged with a voltage potential.
 61. An array forgenerating an inhomogeneous electric field comprising a plurality ofelectrode-pair cells in a lattice configuration lying along first andsecond separated substantially parallel axii; each cell generating aninhomogeneous electric field having a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the parallel axii, wherein the plurality ofelectrode-pair cells are conic, cylindrical or mirror cells.
 62. Thearray of claim 61 wherein the plurality of electrode-pair cells closerto the generated inhomogeneous electric field are smaller than theelectrode-pair cells farther away from the generated inhomogeneouselectric field.
 63. The array of claim 61 wherein the electrode-paircells have outer cell casings.
 64. An array for generating aninhomogeneous electric field comprising a plurality of cells lying alonga first and second radius of curvature having a common center whereinthe second radius of curvature is less than the first radius ofcurvature; each cell generating an inhomogeneous electric field havingan axis along which the inhomogeneous electric field has a maximummagnitude, wherein the plurality of cells are oriented such that therespective axes of maximum magnitudes are convergent on the commoncenter of the radii of curvature.
 65. An array for generating aninhomogeneous electric field comprising: a plurality of cells eachhaving a first electrode having a cylindrical cavity with a centralaxis; a second electrode positioned within the cylindrical cavitygenerally along the central axis and electrically separated from thefirst electrode; and at least a first material having a dielectricproperty located at least partially between the first and secondelectrodes; at least a second material having a dielectric propertylocated at least partially between the first and second electrodes;wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, and the at least onematerial having a dielectric property are aligned to generate anon-uniform, inhomogeneous electric field when the first and secondelectrodes are charged with a voltage potential.
 66. The array of claim65 wherein the array is formed of horizontal, diagonal and verticalrows, each of the rows containing a plurality of cells.
 67. An enginecomprising a plurality of the arrays of claim 66 in a diametricallyopposed relationship.
 68. An apparatus for generating an inhomogeneouselectric field comprising: a first electrode having an electricallyconductive, open, first curved surface of angular shape forming aportion of a cylinder and characterized by a first radius of curvaturehaving a first center point; a second electrode having an electricallyconductive, second curved surface characterized by a second radius ofcurvature having a second center point, the second radius of curvaturebeing less than the first radius of curvature; the first and secondcenter points coinciding; the first and second curved surfaces havingopposed concave and convex shapes, respectively; the first and secondcurved surfaces being electrically separated from one another togenerate an inhomogeneous electric field when charged with a voltagepotential; and the electrodes being charged with a potential differencegenerating an inhomogeneous electric field of at least about 10,000volts/millimeter.
 69. A mirror cell for generating an inhomogeneouselectric field comprising: a first angular electrode forming a portionof a cylinder and having a central axis; a second angular electrodeforming a portion of a cylinder lying along a radius of curvature of thecentral axis and electrically separated from the first electrode; andwherein the first and second electrodes are aligned to generate anon-uniform, inhomogeneous electric field when the first and secondelectrodes are charged with a voltage potential.
 70. The mirror cell ofclaim 69 further comprising a dielectric material located between thefirst and second angular electrodes, an electrically conductive shieldsurrounding the first angular electrode and forming the second angularelectrode and an insulator located within the electrically conductiveshield.
 71. An array comprising a plurality of mirror cells of claim 70.72. An array for generating an inhomogeneous electric field comprising aplurality of electrode-pair cells in a lattice configuration lying alongfirst and second separated substantially parallel axii; each cell havinga capability of generating an inhomogeneous electric field of the samedeterminable angular divergence, wherein the plurality of electrode-paircells are conic, cylindrical or mirror cells.
 73. The array of claim 72further comprising a source of a time varying voltage potentialconnected to the first and second electrodes of each cell.
 74. The arrayof claim 72 wherein the first and second curved surfaces arecharacterized as at least a portion of a first hollow sphere.
 75. Thearray of claim 72 wherein each cell is independently controllable. 76.The array of claim 75 wherein each cell is controlled by a computer. 77.An array for generating an inhomogeneous electric field comprising alattice of controllable electrode-pair cells, a plurality of the cellsbeing located at each lattice point in a sub-lattice configuration, eachcell having a capability of generating an inhomogeneous electric fieldof controllable direction, wherein the plurality of electrode-pair cellsare conic, cylindrical or mirror cells.
 78. The array of claim 77wherein each cell is independently controllable.
 79. The array of claim77 wherein each cell is controlled by a computer.
 80. A communicationsystem comprising: a signal source and an electric power sourceoperatively connected to a modulator; a high voltage power sourceoperatively connected to the modulator; and a field converteroperatively connected to the high voltage power source, the fieldconverter being a conic cell, a cylindrical cell or a mirror cell.
 81. Afield converter comprising: a substantially flat sheet or plate havingopposed sides; a plurality of electrodes attached to each of the opposedsides of the flat sheet or plate, the electrodes on one side of the flatsheet or plate being at least partially non-aligned with the electrodeson the other side of the flat sheet or plate; the electrodes attached toeach of the opposing sides of the flat sheet or plate being electricallyseparated from one another to generate an inhomogeneous electric fieldwhen charged with a voltage potential.
 82. The field converter of claim81 wherein the electrodes are strips, squares, rectangles or grids.